After having sat with a small handful of both traditionally trained Colombian Tiatas, as well as less traditional western “shamans“ I found Shane and his gatherings to be a refreshing lack of pretense. He’s not here to woo you with mystical Tales and magical personas. There will be no bells and whistles to distract from your work. This isn’t a show nor an indulgence in a game of make believe. This is real honest to God work. And it’s that very honest to God work that Shane will walk you through, shoulder to shoulder. The tradition of the medicine is approached with reverence and respect, without losing sight of what it is to be a westerner. With Western problems. Aya is earth medicine and it’s a down to earth let’s get rid of the bullshit approach that is warmly embraced. A welcome contrast when compared to other approaches. Approaches that often manipulate a participant’s ignorance of medicine into a world based on fairytale. I thoroughly endorse Shane and encourage anyone who was ready to get real and drop the bullshit to step into Shane ‘s sacred space.